Old Carey Grammarians and Mazenod OCFC Driving Change Through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme 

The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) is proud to celebrate the outstanding work of both the Old Carey Grammarians Football Club and Mazenod Old Collegians Football Club through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), with both clubs continuing to show how small actions can create a lasting impact within community football. 

Since joining the program, both clubs have remained disciplined, committed, and purposeful in the way they have approached the initiative. What started as a sustainability effort has quickly grown into an important club-wide project that connects players, volunteers, supporters, and families. 

Speaking with club representatives, it was clear there was a strong focus on ensuring everyone understood the purpose behind the program. Players and volunteers were encouraged to see that every can or bottle collected was not only helping the environment through recycling, but also directly supporting the football club. 

At Mazenod OC, the impact has already been significant. In 2025 alone, the club raised approximately $900 through the Container Deposit Scheme, providing valuable additional funding to purchase new footballs across both the men’s and women’s programs. The initiative has helped ease operational costs while also creating stronger awareness around sustainability and collective responsibility within the club community. 

Similarly, Old Carey Grammarians have embraced the program with great enthusiasm, ensuring the message around environmental responsibility and club contribution is visible across all levels of the club. Club mentioned that a major focus has been using the funds raised to purchase new footballs for the playing group. They found that when players can physically see recycled cans turning into better training equipment and resources for the club, they are far more likely to engage with the initiative, recycle consistently, and take pride in supporting the program. 

Programs like the CDS continue to highlight the strength of community football clubs beyond the field. Whether it is supporting sustainability, reducing costs, or bringing people together for a shared purpose, clubs like Old Carey Grammarians and Mazenod OCFC continue to lead by example within the VAFA community. 

If your club is involved with the CDS program in 2026, please fill the below 1 minute form. 

2026 Fundraising | Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme – Fill out form